Benin Owena Basin pledges provision of potable water, all-round irrigation for agricultural purposes
… commissions area office in Auchi
In line with Federal Government’s mandate to provide potable water for domestic uses and promotion of national food security through all-round irrigation, Benin-owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA) has opened area office in Auchi.
Saliu Osifuemhe Ahmed, managing director, BORBDA, along with the chairman, board of directors of the agency, Ali Olaganju Olanusi commissioned the area office located in Audhi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area.
Ahmed said the area office would also provide rural infrastructure such as roads and associated infrastructure within the limits of available budgetary provisions as well as provision of employment for the people, thereby encouraging growth and development in the community.
According to Ahmed, “With the presence of this area office, BORBDA is strategically positioned in line with the vision of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to promote national food security through the entrenchment of agriculture as an alternative revenue source beyond oil.”
He said the commissioning, Edo State area office had increased the federal agency area offices to four with one each in its state of jurisdiction of Ekiti, Delta, Ondo and now Edo.
The BORBDA boss explained that the purposes of bringing the authority’s closer to the people was geared towards facilitating the realisation of its mandate in the development of water and land assets and associated rural infrastructure.
He however solicited the cooperation and support of the people of the community and other benefitting communities to ensure that the mission and vision of the initiative was achieved.
On his part, Ali Olaganju Olanusi, chairman, board of directors of BORBDA, commended the Otaru of Auchi, Aliru Momoh, for donating parcels of land for the area office as well as for farming.
Olanusi said the office would among others help in coordinating the activities of the authority within the community and beyond, creating employment and boosting socio-economic activities of the area.
Earlier, in his goodwill message, the Otaru of Auchi thanked the federal agency for the choice of Auchi town as location for the area office, assuring of his determination to welcome any agencies or companies bringing development to his kingdom.
Also in his remark, the executive chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council, Yakubu Musa, who was represented by his vice, Inusa Imonofi, assured that the council would ensure that the facility was put to judicious use.